It’s been a long time (too long) since I posted my last Fromage Fridays entry, since the end of August in fact. Fret not, I’m just as in love with cheese as ever, life has just gotten in the way of me exploring it as much as I would like. When I saw the Chavrie Facebook Fan Page Recipe Contest I knew it was time to focus on cheese once again. The premise of the contest is that Chavrie is challenging its Facebook fans to create an original recipe that uses one of their goat cheeses as an ingredient. They will then choose five semi-finalists to feature on their fan page and ultimately it will be up to the fans to decide which two recipes are the best and worthy of a $100 gift card to Cooking.com. You have until December 4 to submit your recipe so if you’d like to have your shot at prizes there is still time to enter.
For my recipe I knew I was going sweet rather than savory. I enjoyed the Deep Chocolate Brownies with Chevre Swirls I made after returning from the Vermont Cheesemakers Festival so much that I knew another dessert combining chocolate and goat cheese was in order. And voila, Chocolate-Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Whipped Chevre Filling were born. Heaven only knows why I decided to create this recipe because I am not entirely sure if I’ve ever had a whoopie pie. However, a chocolate whoopie pie with a creamy goat cheese filling sounded like a little bite of heaven. Using goat cheese in sweet applications may sound challenging and unusual, but if you’re used to baking with other cheeses like cream cheese, ricotta, or mascarpone then you have no need to be intimidated. The only tip you have to be mindful of is that if overbeaten the chevre can break down and the solids can separate from the liquids. But as long as you mix thoughtfully, just as you would with a cake batter or cookie dough, you’ll be fine. The enjoyable part about using soft goat cheese in a sweet preparation is that I find it has more character and flavor than standard cream cheese. There is a pleasant tanginess that balances out sweeter counterparts. It also has a more complex flavor and scent that adds a twist of gourmet sophistication of even the simplest or most nostalgic of treats.
Overall, I cannot say enough good things about these whoopie pies. The pies themselves are rich and chocolately with a nice pop of texture and flavor from the mini chocolate chips. Both the instant coffee and chocolate extract are optional, but know that they go a long way in bringing out the chocolate flavor of the pies. The filling is a combination of butter, powdered sugar, and goat cheese. Why not just fill them with straight goat cheese? The butter helps add body and richness to the filling and powdered sugar also helps thicken the filling while making the tang a little more balanced. Overall, this filling is perfect if you just want a hint of sweetness and in my opinion tastes much fresher than a more traditional fluff-based filling. They are also great for a dessert spread at a dinner party or pot luck because they are small enough that your guests can easily eat them while mingling and also have room for other treats. As a note, the filling requires some time to chill so you could easily make it the night before you bake the pies. If you’re not into goat cheese you could also substitute it with cream cheese.
Yields 16 mini whoopie pies
Ingredients:
Cake
- 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules, optional
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon chocolate extract, optional
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
- 2 1/3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
-1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Filling
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 5.3-ounce packages Chavrie original, chilled
Method:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment or grease them lightly.
To make the cakes:
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, instant coffee granules, baking powder, baking soda, salt and extracts till smooth. Add the egg, again beating till smooth.
Add the cocoa, stirring to combine.
Add the flour to the batter alternately with the milk, beating just till smooth and well combined. Gently stir in the mini chocolate chips
Drop the dough by the rounded tablespoonful onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving plenty of room between the cakes; they’ll spread. A mini cookie scoop works great here.
Bake the cakes for 15 to 16 minutes, till they’re set and firm to the touch. Remove them from the oven, and cool on the pans. While still lukewarm, use a spatula to separate them from the pan or parchment; then allow to cool completely.
To make the filling: Beat together the butter and powdered sugar until well combined and fluffy. Beat in the goat cheese just until well combined. Chill for at least 4 hours or until stiffened before filling cakes.
Spread the flat side of half the cakes with the filling. Top with the remaining cakes, flat side towards the filling. Wrap individually, in plastic wrap, till ready to serve.
{ 2 trackbacks }
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Um, yum! I hadn’t ever thought of a sweet application for goat cheese, but I’m a huge fan of the stuff. And this is certainly the most sophisticated take on whoopie pies I’ve ever seen . . . keep us posted on the contest – good luck!
These whoopie pies look phenomenal! I’ve never seen chocolate extract, but I’ll certainly keep my eyes out for it.
I’ve never tried goat cheese–I have to add it to my “cheeses to try once a week” plan! I tried gouda this week, and I really loved the flavor. And if goat cheese has a slight similarity to cream cheese, I can’t see me not liking it. And these whoopie pies are soo creative–love it!
TOTALLY believe that these are delicious! After making a goat cheese tart, we are big fans of goat cheese in desserts. We’ve only made one batch of whoopie pies…this could be another version to try.
These sound really amazing. I keep thinking about those goat cheese brownies you blogged about previously (have them on my xmas list, fingers crossed). Good luck!!!
These look awesome! Whoopie pies were a great invention….
Yum! Those sound so good with the creamy delicious goat cheese filling!
fabulous!!! i didn’t realize i hadn’t already commented
i did pass along an award to you– http://tri2cook.blogspot.com/2009/11/kindness-all-around.html
Shannon – I know. I’m such a slowsky on the award. I have a Post It to remind myself of it.
I LOVE these – they sound fantastic! I’m always sold at goat cheese though – what a delicious adn creative way to incoroporate it into a dessert! Good luck in the contest!!